15 MARCH 2011
'IT'S GREAT TO LEARN A TRADE'

An apprentice at Quantum member East Midlands Housing had a chance to talk about what he does with his local MP.

Trainee James Brown joined group chief executive Chan Kataria to meet Tory MP Andrew Bridgen for North West Leicestershire, at Stephenson College.

James and his fellow apprentices at the housing association work at the group's property maintenance operation and train at the college.

The 23-year-old, from Glen Parva, said the apprenticeship was a great opportunity for him to learn a trade.

He said: "The thing about an apprenticeship is everything about it makes sense.

"Going to college is good – I enjoy going, when I never enjoyed going to school – and there is a qualification to aim for, plus we are getting paid for doing a good job."

Chan Kataria said: "The group is keen to give young people the chance to learn a skilled trade and build excellent careers. It fits our ethos as a social housing provider to also provide good employment opportunities for people in the neighbourhoods we work in."

Mr Bridgen said: "It is good to see that local employers such as East Midlands Housing Group are making use of the excellent facilities at Stephenson College, and giving opportunities to local people to obtain skills and jobs."

East Midlands Housing manages more than 12,000 homes.

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